so uncomfortably at her mistress's knee. She moved, with downcast
looks, after the rest, and only dared once peep at this strange ragged
fellow.

His lips moved, making her a signal, then were shut resolutely.

* * * * *

That night Monceux kept open house and grew noisy in his cups. He swore
that Robin Hood was both coward and villain not to have come into
Nottingham to take his chance of winning the horse and purse.

Even as he spoke an arrow came flying in through one of the narrow
windows of the Sheriff's hall, and, curving, fell with a rattle upon the
table in front of the startled Monceux. Attached to it was an empty
purse, Monceux's own--that one indeed which had that morn held the
hundred pieces so comfortably! "Where is that rascal beggar?" cried the
Sheriff, suddenly having his doubts.

"Where is my maid?" shrilled the demoiselle Marie, rushing in upon her
father.

"I did not send for her," shouted Monceux, seeing it all. "Haste thee,
Simeon, pursue them. They cannot be far away."

"Excellence, the Arab steed hath been stolen, and by thy beggar guest,"
cried one of the servants, running in at the other door. "Even now he
has gained the bridge, carrying your new maid a-pillion, mistress. None
may hope to catch them on that fleet horse."

"They cannot win through the gates. After them, Simeon, as you love me.
I never will look on you again if you do not capture Robin Hood and this
girl."

Mistress Monceux was quite beside herself with fury.

"Alas, mistress," said the servant, "the gates of Nottingham stand
wide; did not my master order it so but this very morn?"

"Silence!" roared Monceux; and, unable to control his rage, he struck
the fellow to the ground. "After them, Simeon, and take what men you
will."

Master Carfax had other duty before him, however, for his gentle lady
had relapsed into a screaming hysteria. They slapped her hands and
poured wine between her lips, and finally her maids had to cut her laces
and put her to bed.

CHAPTER XXV

Days passed into weeks and weeks into months, and Robin Hood was still
to seek. The Sheriff waged an intermittent warfare with him, scoring a
few minor successes; then Robin moved himself and his men farther
afield. Many of the Nottingham apprentices and other roving spirits
joined when they might with Robin and his band.

Arthur-a-Bland, the tanner, who had so nearly won the Sheriff's prize,
had often in these